Our Litigious Society: Woman Sues Daughter-in-Law Comedian Over Jokes

from the no-laughing-matter? dept

In-law jokes are a pretty standard staple of the standup comedy business. They can be pretty funny too... even if the concept is a bit dated. But, apparently, they're not so funny to the in-laws of comedian Sunda Croonquist. ChurchHatesTucker alerts us to the news that Croonquist's mother-in-law and sister-in-law are suing the comedian for cracking rather typical "in-law" jokes, which, apparently the in-laws didn't find to be all that funny. They're suing for defamation, even though you have to wonder if anyone actually takes such jokes seriously. I mean, it's a comedian. Of course the jokes are either made up or exaggerated for comedic effect. Still, probably makes for a frosty family gathering.

Lawyers!!!!

The comedian's husband (the guy who's mother is suing her) works for the law firm that's defending her. I smell a rat! Seems like a scheme to generate legal fees and boost the comedian's profile. Everyone involved should be fined for wasting the court's time. If you follow the money, it usually leads to a lawyer.

I thought defamation was more along the lines of actually using their names and whatever being said about then has some sort of impact on them getting a job or hurting a company or some such. But I guess defamation now is just somebody saying something remotely about you in some oddball way you don't like.
I now wanna know who these people are where as before I doubt anybody gave a shit.

The defendant (the comic) is a black Swedish woman who married into a Jewish family, and some of her mother-in-law jokes are hilarious.

"So you know there was drama when we got the sonogram results cause she was real excited. 'OK, now that we know you're having a little girl I want to know what you're naming that little tchotchke. Now I realize there's a difference in the background with the African-American, colored, black, whatever you people call yourselves these days. Seriously, I just don't want a name that's difficult to pronounce like Shaniqua. Because in my mind I'm thinking of a name short but delicious. Like Hadassah or Goldie.'"

"Another in her routine goes: 'I'm a black woman with a Jewish mother-in-law. You know the only thing we have in common is that we don't want to get our hair wet.'"

"Or her first visit to her mother-in-law's house: "I walk in, I say, 'Thank you so much for having me here, Ruthie.' She says, 'The pleasure's all mine, have a seat.'" Then, in a loud aside, 'Harriet, put my pocketbook away.'"

Re:

Ha!

If she's funny at all she'll have money and money is what law suits are all about! It doesn't matter if someone is really offended, it doesn't matter if the jokes are true or not what matters is money. Money, money, money, money, money, money, money, money....it makes that happy sound, it makes the world go 'round...

Tennessee called....

The plaintiff should make sure to post all the defamatory posts, in a very public place, to make sure everyone in the world knows the kind of things the daughter-in-law has been saying about her, and join her in her indignation.